Business Segment Information (Segment Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	$ 2,996,650	$ 2,738,208	$ 6,205,493	$ 5,347,082
Income taxes (benefits)	128,743	73,113	345,709	189,648
Consolidated net income	194,281	168,055	600,334	335,038	[1]
Utility [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	2,409,396	2,212,336	4,714,100	4,215,777
Income taxes (benefits)	122,884	98,926	237,947	170,001
Consolidated net income	212,134	200,555	417,574	328,391
Entergy Wholesale Commodities [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	577,891	533,523	1,490,013	1,147,256
Income taxes (benefits)	19,597	(14,567)	138,474	42,368
Consolidated net income	26,463	11,531	268,933	93,646
All Other [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	726	987	1,487	1,987
Income taxes (benefits)	(13,738)	(11,246)	(30,712)	(22,721)
Consolidated net income	(17,614)	(17,636)	(33,076)	(34,208)
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Financial Information
Operating revenues	8,637	(8,638)	(107)	(17,938)
Consolidated net income	$ (26,702)	$ (26,395)	$ (53,097)	$ (52,791)

[1] Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for 2014 and 2013 include $6.4 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of preferred dividends on subsidiaries’ preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented within equity.